Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has ordered all public elementary and secondary schools in the city to hold their graduation ceremonies strictly within their respective campuses as part of precautionary measures against a possible oil-driven price surge.
During a regular management committee meeting, Moreno directed Sheryll Gayola, superintendent of the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Manila, to ensure that graduation rites are conducted inside school grounds to prevent additional expenses for parents, particularly those associated with renting off-site venues.
The mayor said the directive comes as Manila braces for the potential economic impact of escalating tensions in the Middle East and the reported blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway that carries around 20 percent of the world’s oil supply. He warned that disruptions in global oil distribution could lead to higher fuel prices, increased transport fares, and a spike in the cost of basic commodities.
“Twenty percent of our oil all over the world, and that includes the Philippines, has a problem with the source of supply,” Moreno said, adding that price increases are “most likely” if the situation worsens.
He urged schools to keep graduation activities “as modest and as frugal as we can,” stressing that even minimal price hikes could significantly affect household budgets.
The move is anchored on Executive Order No. 7, Series of 2026, which mandates a 50 percent reduction in fuel consumption across all city government offices. The order also prohibits non-essential travel, suspends educational trips or “lakbay-aral,” and requires departments to adopt electricity-saving measures such as limiting lighting use and conducting meetings online when feasible.
Moreno emphasized that while graduation marks an important milestone for students, prudence and practicality must prevail amid global uncertainty, saying the city government is aligning its efforts with national measures to conserve resources.
